Nautical propulsion system using webs and craft fitted with such system



Aug. 9, 1960 Filed Oct. 16, 1956 A. SBRANA NAUTICAL PROPULSION SYSTEM USING WEBS 4 Sheets-Sheet l AND CRAFT FITTED WITH SUCH SYSTEM Aug. 9, 1960 A. SBRANA 2,948,255

NAUTICAL PROPULSION SYSTEM USING WEBS AND CRAFT FITTED WITH SUCH SYSTEM Filed on. 16, 1956 4 Sheets- Sheet 2 Aug. 9, 1960 A. SBRANA NAUTICAL PROPULSION SYSTEM usmc WEBS AND CRAFT FITTED WITH SUCH SYSTEM 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed 001',- 16, 1956 FIGS FIGJO Aug. 9, 1960 A. SBRANA 2,948,255

NAUTICAL PROPULSION SYSTEM usmc WEBS AND CRAFT FITTED wrrn sucH SYSTEM Filed Oct. 16, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 NAUTICAL PROPULSION SYSTEM USING WEBS AND CRAFT FITTED WITH SUCH SYSTEM Adolphe Sbrana,10 Ra du Gaz, Martigues,

. Bouches-du-Rhone, France Filed Oct. 16, 1956, Ser, No. 616,229 Claims priority, application France Aug. 9, 1956 p .6 Claims. (Cl. 115-28) relatively great or substantially negligible depending on i the direction of relative motion of the webs with respect to the water.

It will be understood that such a rod when reciprocated about its shaft which may be. driven for example by means of a handwheel, will propel the craft in a direction normal to the mean position of the rod and opposite from the webs. In order to change course his simply necessary -to impart stronger impulses to the handwheel to one side than to the other. It is also possible, especially if the craft is of circular tub form and is designed for nautical games, to use the .gyratory effect obtained by continually turning the wheel in the same direction. The position of the passenger or pas sengers has practically no effect on the sense of displacement.

According to a first feature of the invention, the drive shaft actuates two rods provided with webs so that they will at any given instant assume rotational movements of opposite sense.

According to a second feature of the invention, the drive shaft connected with the webbed rod is driven through an intermediate transmission drive from a handwheel excentric with respect to the drive shaft.

In a first form of construction the shaft of the wheel is movablewith respect to the craft.

In another form the handwheel shaft is fixed spect to the craft.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention, pump means which may be operated simultaneously with the drive shaft serves to bail out any water shipped by the craft. V

vAs yet another feature of the invention, the drive shaft is made .up of telescopic elements. 7

The. invention further provides a nautical craft characterized in. that it essentially comprises a peripheral chamber, an inner armature disposed atthe top of the chamber. and provided with ties for pressing a deck structure against'the base of the chamber, and a webbed propulsion system of theabove defined type supported onthedeckh 1 In a preferred form of embodiment the craft includes an inflatable circular chamber. I I V according to the invention have a variety of with re- 2 advantages: they are lightweight, simple, are readily taken apart,unsubmersible, and thus appear to be especially well suited for use as lifeboats or emergency craft for marine and aviation purposes.

Further objects and features of the invention will be mentioned in the ensuing description of exemplary embodiments-with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 shows one construction of the craft in general longitudinal'section;

. Fig. 2 illustrates the craft in plan;

|Fig."3jillustrates the propulsion system in perspective;

Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate the operation of the webs;

. Fig.-'6. shows a'modification of the propulsion system includingtwo web carrier rods;

'Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the system of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8' shows a modification of the propulsion system;

Fig. 9-is a diagram illustrative of the operation ofthe system of Fig. 8;

JFig: 10' illustrates a further modified propulsion system; f

Fig, 1-1 illustrates water pumping means;

Fig; '12 illustrates a handwheel mounted on telescopic elements;

Fig; 13 illustrates one construction of the webs; and "Fig; 14'illustrates how the webs of Fig. 13 are mounted on theircarrier rods. i

The craft shown in Pig. 1 comprises an annular chamber 1 which may or not be separated by bulwarks or partitions, made of an impervious waterstight inflatable material, such as an inflatable lifeboat. A rigid circular frame 2 rests on the upper part of chamber 3 and supports tie members 4 which act to apply a deck or flooring 6 against the lower bottom periphery 7 of the chamber. The deck may advantageously include keel means 8,

The central part 10 of deck 6 supports a sleeve 11 serving to guide and support a shaft 12 having a handwheel 13 connected to it. The shaft is retained by grooves and bosses .14, 15 with ball or friction bearings and projects slightly beyond the deck 6 and has keyed to it a perpendicular shank 16 suitably connected to it at the hub part .17. This shank is preferably smaller in length than the diameter of the craft though it may project beyond it.

Y The ends 18, 19 of shank .16 are fitted with supports each retaining a set of parallel webs 20 having sharp outer edges (Figs. 4 and 5). The sleeve 11 may be displaced according to requirements from the position shown, and may be disposed at a peripheral point as shown at 11' (Fig. 2).

The advantages of the apparatus are readily understandable from the above.

With the annular chamber .1 inflated, its inner circular contour acts to stretch the armature 2 and pull it upwards.

that is proportional to the rate of the impulses imparted to the wheel about the shaft 12.

3 As the left arm of shank 16 is propelled in the direction of the arrow A (Fig. 3) the webs 20 open out (Fig.

5) and afford a resistance that causes the craft to advance. The same impulses causes the webs 20 carried by the right arm of shank 16 to close in (-Fig. 4) and to oppose no resistance to the Water.

The propulsive thrust is produced by this oscillatory motion. It will be noted that the shank 16 may be made of two parts each actuated from a separate handwheel.

Such craft may be manned by one or two occupants and is able to float both in shallow waters and on the open sea. The bottom 6 may be made transparent for underwater observation.

Moreover, in nautical games, two or more of such craft may be made to collide without sustaining any damage owing to the flexible character of the peripheral chambers.

Finally, the assembly is easily carried about, either in dismantled condition or in normal condition by grasping the handwheel 13 and allowing the chamber 1 to roll upon its rim 26.

Fig. 6 illustrates a modification of the propulsion device comprising two web-carrier shanks 16a and 16b. The handwheel 13 directly operates the shank 16a through the shaft 12. A first bevel gear 30 keyed on the shaft 12 meshes with a second bevel gear 31 rotatable on a stationary shaft 32. Gear 31 in turn drives a gear 33 similar .to gear 31 and secured to a sleeve 34 surrounding the shaft 12 and supporting the shank 16b. A casing 35 secured to the floor 6 comprises a cylinder 36 in which the shaft 32 is journalled. A coil spring 37 urges gear 31 into engagement with gears 30 and 33. A pedal and linkage system 38 may be actuated to disengage gear 31 from gears 31 and 33. The casing 35 serves at 39 to guide the shaft 12 through any suitable means, similarly the floor 6 guides the sleeve 34 at 40. The gears 35), 3 1 and 33 may then desirably be made of plastic material with a sinusoidal geartooth profile.

The operation of the device shown in Fig. 6 is schematically illustrated in Fig. 7. On oscillatory actuation of the handwheel 13, the shanks 16a and 16b have rotational movements imparted to them which are equal in amplitude but opposite in sense. As a result the craft is propelled somewhat in the same way as with a pair of cars operating symmetrically in the direction of the arrow f1, the rate of advance being a function of the frequency and amplitude of the oscillation of handwheel 13.

When it is desired to change course, the pedal 38 is actuated to cut off the drive from shank 16a. Assuming the handwheel 13 is then turnedby a certain angle, the left end of shank 16a will act substantially as a fixed fulcrum with respect to the Water and the shank 16a will assume the position 16a. Simultaneously the shank 1512' during such operation will assume substantially the position 16b, and if the pedal 38 is now released, the craft will now be propelled in the direction indicated by arrow f2. The new course forms an angle with the old course substantially equal to'the angle by which the wheel 13 was turned in the actuated condition of the pedal 38.

The above described propulsion device makes it possible to achieve higher speeds of advance and propels the craft in a straight line. This embodiment appears more suitable for an ordinary boat or a utility craft. In such cases it may be preferable to arrange the propulsion unit aft of the craft and to operate the shaft 12 through a bar or tiller which will be more handy to actuate than the wheel 13'.

Fig; 8' illustrates a propulsion devicewherein the drive shaft 12 connected to the shank 16 carrying the webs is driven through a sprocket and chain drive from a handwheel113' excentric withrespect to the drive shaft 12; and the axis of which is movable in position relative to the craft. At the upper end of the drive shaft 12 which is journalled in bushing 11 integral with the deck 6, a sprocket gear 41 is secured. A cylinder 42 rotatable about the bushing 11 carries an arm 43 connected with a bushing 44 in which a shaft 45 is rotatable; the shaft 45 is connected at one end with the Wheel 13 and at the other end with a sprocket gear 46 arranged at the same level as the gear 41- and connected therewith through a chain 47. e

The operation of the propulsion unit illustrated in Fig. 8 is diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 9. If the arm 13 is moved about the bushing 11 while allowing the wheel 13 to remain free, the wheel will retain a constant angular position with respect to the water and so will the shank 16, as is shown by the positions I of the shank and Ya and I'll) of the wheel, and upon oscillation of the handwheel the craft will move in the direction indicated by the arrow f1. Also shown are two further positions II and III of thehandwheel 13, for which the craft will be moving in the directions of arrows f2 and f3 respectively. It will thus be seen that, for a l/l ratio between the gears 41 and 46, that an index secured tothe handwheel will in all cases accurately indicate the direction of advance of the craft regardless of the angular position of the arm 43 with respect to the sleeve 11. It will be understood moreover that by combining the rotation of the arm 43 about the sleeve 11 with the rotation of wheel 13 about its axis 45, it will be possible to achieve any desired angular position of the shank 16 as well as any desired amplitude of the oscillation thereof, thus providing a sort of continuous speed change gear. This arrangement makes it possible to pass around the handwheel 13 without requiring the passengers to shift positions.

This arrangement, of course, can be combined with the twin-shank propulsion unit including the two shanks 16a and 16b shown in Fig. 6.

Also conceivable is a combined utilization of a plurality of arms 43 and handwheels 13 for operating the drive shaft 12.

Fig. 10 illustrates a form of embodiment wherein the handwheel 13 is secured to a shaft 50 journalled in a sleeve 5-1 secured to the craft. The shaft 50 drives the operating shaft 12 through a chain and gear drive 41, 46, 47 and the drive ratio may be selected at a value greater than, equal to or less than one depending on the prospective use of the craft. Gland seals will of course be used where necessary. The base of the sleeve 51 guiding the shaft 50 is large enough so that on removal, a sufficiently large aperture will be left open to permit inspecting the drive.

Fig. 11 corresponding to a modification of Fig. 1 shows a pump system operated by the drive shaft for bailing out water from within the craft.

The sleeve 11 and the upper part of drive shaft 12 are surrounded by a flexible accordion-pleated pipe 55 made of rubber or the like. The pipe 55 is secured to the deck 6 by way of a bell member 56 within the base of which a number of small valves 57 are peripherally fitted, which simply comprise spring strips. The upper end of pipe '55 terminates in a ring 58 the top face of which is contacted by the handwheel and is. constantly being polished by the motion of the wheel so that it will provide asufficiently tight seal for proper operation of the pump. The pipe 55 is centered coaxially with the shaft 12and sleeve 11 by means of ring inserts 59 which permit fluid flow therethrough. A conduit 60 likewise fitted with a spring valve device serves to discharge the water from this pump system, operation of which is extremely simple as will now be described. When the ring 58 has a vertical reciprocation imparted to it water will be discharged from within the bell 56 during the downstroke through pipe 60, and water will be drawn in from the deck 6 into the bell 56 through valves 57 during the upstroke. In this. embodiment the vertical reciprocation may be imparted to the ring 58' either by direct of a telescopic shaft.

action on thering to cause itto slide along "the'shaft 12', or by reciprocating the handwheel.

In a modification, the ring 58 may be rigidly fastened to the shaft 12, so that during the oscillatory movement of the shaft the pipe 55 forming .thebody of the pump will be twisted one way and the other thereby producing the desired intake and discharge of water.

The pipe 55 has the further advantage of protecting the passengers against injury from' the sleeve 11 or shaft 12.

Fig. 12 illustrates by way of example one embodiment The shaft 12 comprises two cylinders 12a and 12b slidable the 'one in the other. A push button, 65 mounted on the handwheel and upwardly biassed by a spring 66 operates a rod 67 having fingers 68 projecting from its lower end'adapted to engage into appropriate openings 69 formed in the cylinder 12a. This arrangement makes it possible to adjust the vertical position of the handwheel 13 according to convenience.

Fig. 13 illustrates a preferred construction of the propulsion webs. These are formed from a part integrally molded out of plastic material. A hole 70 is provided for forcibly fitting the webs over the end of the shank 16 on which moreover they may be retained as with rivets or the like. Once mounted (Fig. 14) the webs completely surround and project beyond the shank 16 thereby preventing injury to nearby swimmers.

The continually oscillated shank 16 should be flexible to produce smooth advance of the craft, and lightweight to avert excessive inertia. The shank 16 as well as drive shaft 12 will therefore preferably be made of spring steel, light alloys, or better still glass fibre such as that used in the manufacture of archery bows and fishing rods, or appropriate plastics.

It may be noted that a craft was described including an annular inflatable chamber because this has a number of advantages: small size of the craft when deflated and dismantled, ready transportation due to the fact that it can be run on its peripheral rim while holding it for instance by means of the handwheel, and steerability in all directions with equal ease. It will be understood that the use of a deflatable casing of, annular form appears preferable for the above reasons, but that it may not be particularly suited for certain instances of use. Many other forms of assembly for the deflatable craft are possible; thus, where a lifeboat is desired, an oblong configuration with narrow bows would be selected. Similarly, the propulsion system of the invention is equally applicable to craft having a rigid hull made of metal, wood, or plastics, etc.

.The attractiveness of the appearance of the craft may be enhanced by suitable paints and ornaments. The craft may be fitted with removable seats or back rests.

Generally speaking it will be evident that the construction materials, configuration and dimensions used in the craft may be selectedin accordance with the intended use. Similarly, the number, shape, and location of the propulsion elements as well as the kinematic drive for imparting motion thereto may be modified without exceeding the scope of the invention. Such conventional equipment as keels, rudders, masts and sails, etc, may be added.

What I claim is:

1. In a water craft, a floating-structure which is substantially circular in shape, a vertical shaft projecting through and journalled in the center of said structure, horizontal arm means secured to the shaft under water and below said structure, a means for oscillating the shaft about its vertical axis and the arm means along a horizontal plane, propulsionmembers supported from said arm on opposite sides of said shaft and having edge portions above and below said horizontal plane, each propulsion member being deformable to alter the spar ing of its edge portions from the horizontal plane in open when moved in one direction and to close when moved in the opposite direction by motion of saidarm in me plane relative to the water. v

' 2. In a water craft, a floating structure which'is substantially circular in shape, vertical shaft means projecting through and journalled in thecenter of said structure, a horizontal arm means projecting from opposite sides of said shaft means below said structure, a's econd horizontal arm means projecting from opposite sides of said shaft means below said structure, means for oscillating the shaft means about its vertical axis and the arm means in respective horizontal planes, and a pair of propulsion members supported from each of said arm means on opposite sides ofsaid shaft and each having edge portions above and below said horizontal plane, each propulsion member being deformable to alter the spacing of its edge portions from the horizontal plane in which its supporting arm means oscillates and being adapted to spread open when moved in one direction and to close when moved in the other direction by motion of said arm means in the respective plane relative means for oscillating the shaft about its vertical axis and g the arm means along a horizontal plane, a propulsion member supported from said arm means on each side of said shaft, each propulsion member having a substantially uniform cross-sectional form along its length and comprising an integral unit of resiliently yielding material having a pair of deformable web portions, an inner and outer edge for each web portion, said web portions being joined at an acute angle along their inner edges, each propulsion member being interconnected along said joined web edges to the respective arm means, said outer web edges being adapted to spread open and away from the horizontal plane in which said arm members are oscillated when the arm member is moved in one direction and to close and move toward the plane in which said arm member is oscillated when said arm member is moved in the opposite direction.

4. The craft claimed in claim 2, wherein said shaft means comprise coaxial outer and inner shafts, a respective one of said horizontal arm means being secured to and projecting from each shaft underwater and each supporting a respective one of said pairs of members at opposite ends thereof, said means for oscillating the shaft means comprising a manual actuating member on the craft, means connecting the actuating member to both shafts for oscillating the shafts simultaneously in opposite directions, and means operable to disconnect one of said shafts from the actuating member.

, 5. In the craft claimed in claim 1, said means for oscillating the shaft comprising, manual actuating means aboard the craft, means journalling said actuating means about a vertical axis displaced from the axis of said shaft, and bracket means supporting said journal means for rotation about the axis of the shaft.

6. In the craft claimed in claim 1, a deformable impervious casing surrounding said shaft above said structure and having its bottom end sealed to said structure, check-valve means in the base of said casing for permitting intake of water into the casing from surrounding areas of the craft, an outlet pipe connected with said casing near said base and leading overboard, check valve means therein for permitting discharge of water from the casing, and means for alternately contracting and expanding the casing on reciprocation of the shaft to draw water from the craft into the casing and discharging said water from the casing overboard.

(References on following page) References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Eltinge et a1 Jan. 10, 1871 Wade Ian. 29, 1907 Seek Nov, 17, 1908 Antoni Jan. 14, 1913 Tolston Apr. 9, 1929 Wells Dec. 1, 1936 6% Raicy Dec. 12, 1950 Long Ju1y13, 1954 Mims Nov. 2, 1954 Greenlee Aug. 23, 1955 Shafer Dec. 27, 1955 Boyle et a1. Oct. 2, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS France Aug. 11, 1910 1 ERNEST W. SWIDER UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No e 2 948355 August 9 1960- Adolphe Sbrana It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column '1 line l6 for "eompries" read comprises -==g column .3 line 45 for cars. read me oars e Signed and sealed this 11th day of April 1961a (SEAL) A i Commissioner of Patents 

